CentaurG2
Addicted to ArboristSite
I may consider the rental for one of the options, but I am leery of rentals without a good baseline. I'd hate to start hating Stihl because the rental Stihl has been abused. It's not the saw's fault. If I have a nice owned saw, at least I know what a good saw should do, and I can address the issues correctly (don't rent again with that vendor, possibly).
As for commercial work, it is tempting, but I really need to "man up" and become self sufficient. As the next poster noted, there is no "end" to cleanup with a shelter belt like this.
However, I am hedging my bets. If I get a saw, work on it for a month or two and am not making appreciable progress, I'm adult enough to call in the pros and get it done. At least I will have gotten lots of practice, I'll have some common ground with the crew and can talk knowledgeably, and I still need a saw long term, anyway, so the purchase is not wasted.
Jim
If you are not going to be cutting wood off of your “woodlot” for heat, then I would just let nature take its course here. You seem to suggest that you are down on funds, manpower and time. You will find a lot more “important” things that need doin’ around a homestead than trying to maintain a woodlot for nothing other than esthetic purposes. In addition, such areas actually are home to a lot of different critters that could utilize the area. Once you get your feet on the ground, get a good CUT, a 3pt mounted winch and chipper and you can reinvestigate DIY cleaning and maintenance.
I agree that all landowners should have a decent chainsaw but without the knowledge to maintain both saw and especially chains, you might be better off renting a saw on odd time you need one. If you gots the time, puddle over to the stihlusa web sight. Under information, videos, you will find chainsaw maintenance, safety, operation and maintenance video. It should take you about 30min of your life to watch and unlike stihl chainsaws, it is well worth your time. Good luck.